Compound mitering saw used for chop saw?

[Frank]

I know there are times you are just asking for trouble to use a tool in a way it wasn't intended. I have been looking at the chop saws...and then I notice the compound mitering saws. I can't see any reason why the saw couldn't do double duty if a person used a metal cutting blade and use one of these saws on steel with a lot more capability than with a chop saw. The only risk I can see is if I wanted to do a compound cut (which would be very rare). I would just take it slow and easy so as not to side-load the blade. The laser guide on some of these saws makes the whole idea even sweeter.

Opinions?

 

[TNToy]

Just like drilling through wood vs. steel, your tools need to be set up differently. The motor spins at a completely different speed on a wood saw, compared to a steel-cutting saw. The blade will constantly glaze over.

Also, chop saws produce a ton of steel dust, which is drawn to the magnets in the un-sealed wood saw's motor.

Bad idea, but it would be nice.

 

[Frank]

Just like drilling through wood vs. steel, your tools need to be set up differently. The motor spins at a completely different speed on a wood saw, compared to a steel-cutting saw. The blade will constantly glaze over.

Also, chop saws produce a ton of steel dust, which is drawn to the magnets in the un-sealed wood saw's motor.

Bad idea, but it would be nice.

Excellent points and one of the reasons I posted here. Also, some of these saws have plastic parts that probably wouldn't like to be showered with sparks. Imagine the hot sparks reaching the dust bag with wood powder in it. A fire could occur if it were to smolder. It would be nice to adapt a chop saw to the arm in place of the wood saw, but probably not worth all the effort unless the parts are cheap or free.

 

[cloud]

It's probably a bad idea, but I've done it many, many times since I never really even knew better when I started. Does that mean I should be doing it? Probably not. But considering the expense of a proper chop saw or band saw, I'll probably end up doing it again. Wish me luck.

 

[Jasondt2001]

I did it, and had to return it. They told me it would work w/ an abrasive cut off wheel at Lowes. The Saw MELTED.
The laser pointer melted, and then every peice of plastic on the mitering bottom and gauges (for the degrees) and the sliding portion cover.
Needless to say I went back to Lowes. I was disappointed, i really REALLY liked that Kobalt saw they had, it would be a real great saw for wood!!!!!